Met Police 'resisting' full inquest into Chris Kaba shooting, court told

The Metropolitan Police is actively opposing a full inquest into the fatal shooting of Chris Kaba, his family's legal representatives informed a coroner's court. Mr Kaba, aged 24, was shot by police officer Sergeant Martyn Blake in Streatham, south-east London, in September 2022. A pre-inquest review hearing at Southwark Coroner’s Court is currently considering legal arguments on whether a comprehensive inquest should proceed.

The officer involved in the shooting, Sgt Blake, was acquitted of murder at the Old Bailey in October 2024. Subsequently, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed in August that the officer would not face any disciplinary action. The IOPC had been conducting an initial investigation following the incident.

Family's Call for Investigation

Matthew Ryder KC, acting for the Kaba family, argued that there are sufficient grounds to resume an inquest. He stated that the family seeks to understand the reasons behind the shooting and to determine if the officer's perception of a threat requiring lethal force was reasonable. Mr Ryder emphasised that the criminal trial did not serve as a replacement for an inquest and that an inquiry would facilitate learning from the events.

Mr Ryder told the court that he could not recall a similar case in recent history where a police officer shot a member of the public in a public place without a subsequent inquest. He further stated that Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley was "positively resisting the resumption of an inquest," a stance the family found "disappointing and misguided."

The family's legal team expressed their difficulty in comprehending the Commissioner's opposition to an inquest, particularly regarding the specific reasons for the shooting and whether the officer held a reasonable belief about the threat posed by Mr Kaba. His death was described as an "immense tragedy" for his family, prompting public demonstrations of support, notably within the black community.

Background to the Incident

On the night of Mr Kaba's death, police had tracked and contained the Audi he was driving due to its alleged connection to three firearms incidents within a five-month period. At the time of the pursuit, officers were not aware of Mr Kaba's identity. However, he was reportedly associated with a violent street gang and accused of involvement in two shootings in the six days prior to his death.

The pre-inquest review hearing is continuing, with a decision pending from senior coroner Dr Julian Morris on whether to reinstate a full inquest into Mr Kaba's death.